Students from the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) are celebrating after winning three gold medals, two silver and a bronze, in the international mining games competition in Montana in the USA.

Twenty students in three teams from the school, based at the Penryn campus, took part in the 38th International Intercollegiate Mining Games, competing with teams from across the world in arduous mining events designed to put traditional mining skills to the test.

The mixed team came third overall in its division and secured gold in the mucking and track stand events and silver in swede saw, while the men’s A team secured top spot in the mucking event, which involves running a one tonne ore wagon down a 75 foot track and filling it as quickly as possible - the third successive year the team have been crowned world mucking champions. The team also came second in the track stand event, which involves setting up and tearing down a section of rail track.

The CSM teams, who received support from the Camborne School of Mines Trust and Lantoom Quarry, were the only UK representatives taking part at the three-day event.

Mining games captain Liam Norwood said: “The games provide an excellent opportunity to meet fellow mining students from around the world and wave the CSM flag at an internationally renowned event. We compete in front of an industry related audience of over 1,000.

“Our team is extremely excited to host the 40th year of the games in 2018. A huge thank you is in order to our sponsors, without them we would not be able to represent CSM and gain such valuable experience.”

Richard Crocker, managing director of Liskeard's Lantoom Quarry, which sponsors the Cornish teams, said: "Huge congratulations to the team. They've done Cornwall proud. It's crucial for the industry that traditional mining skills are celebrated in this way. It's great to see Cornish students showcase those skills to the world."

The international mining games competition started in 1978 as an act of commemoration to the 1972 Sunshine mine disaster that claimed the lives of 91 workers and stands as a reminder to all those who have lost their lives in mining. The primary aim of the competition is to keep alive traditional mining techniques, many of which were developed in Cornwall.